Lidia's Family Table

Series press release

Episode descriptions

Series fact sheet

Meet the cast

Lidia's cooking tips

A favorite Lidia recipe

WHYY Press Room

“LIDIA’S FAMILY TABLE” DEBUTS

ON PUBLIC TELEVISION

New Show Features More Lidia, More Recipes and More Family

“Lidia’s Family Table,” a new 30-minute cooking series starring Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and distributed by American Public Television (APT), makes its debut in April on public television stations nationwide (check local listings). WHYY-TV in Philadelphia is the presenting station.  

The initial 13-episode series will feature one of America’s best-loved Italian chefs preparing classic Italian recipes in her warm, Mediterranean-style kitchen surrounded by her family.  Everybody chips in, and at any given time, four generations gather to cook, eat and celebrate the joys of life.

Bastianich has been a public television favorite since her first cooking series premiered in 1998.  During the past seven years, Lidia has become one of America’s most popular television chefs, and her two previous series, “Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen” and “Lidia’s Italian Table,” continue to attract record viewers.  Both series often finish as top-rated program on public television stations, and out-perform The Food Network’s Monday prime average.*

Lidia’s new series takes viewers behind the scenes with the Matticchio-Bastianich clan as we meet Lidia’s 84-year-old mother, her two grown children and their mates, and the five grandchildren that light up her life.  We watch as “Nonna Lidia” gets the grandkids involved with helping in the kitchen.  Parents of finicky eaters should watch closely as Lidia skillfully introduces the little ones to new foods and taste sensations.  Some of Lidia’s cooking lessons with the family include: Family Gnocchi Time, Keep on Stirring, Brunch all’Italiana, Saucy Legs and Polenta Pasticcio.  The recipes prepared on the show can be found in the Lidia’s Family Table companion cookbook (Knopf 2004).

“I take great pleasure from the feedback I receive from my public television partners and viewers,” says Bastianich.  “Viewers are always telling me that they want to see more of my family, more of my kitchen and more of all of us eating and cooking together.  So, this new show is really for them.  I always say that a loving family, honest, wholesome food and real togetherness of family and friends are the essential ingredients for a fulfilling life and a happy home.”  

“Lidia’s Family Table” is produced by Tavola Productions, Inc. and premieres in April on public television stations throughout the country.  Please check local listings for the exact date and time.  In addition to her weekly show, Lidia will be making personal appearances at public television pledge drives and events in several cities throughout the country.  

About Lidia Bastianich

In addition to being the star of two nationally syndicated television series on public television, Lidia Bastianich is a best-selling cookbook author, restaurateur and entrepreneur.   Her cookbooks include her most recent book, Lidia’s Family Table — a companion book to the new television series — as well as Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen , Lidia’s Italian Table and La Cucina di Lidia .   She is the chef/owner of three very successful New York City restaurants — Felidia, Becco and Esca — and is the proud chef/owner of Lidia’s in Pittsburgh and Kansas City.   She is also founder and president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high -quality broadcast productions including “Lidia’s Family Table.”   In addition, Lidia has developed her own line of specialty sauces that are sold at upscale retail establishments nationally, and heads up an exclusive travel company that develops and implements customized excursions to Italy that often combine great cusine with art history.   She recently launched a new interactive Web site which includes recipes, descriptions of her restaurants and a monthly newsletter as well as an interactive monthly subscription club that enables fans to cook right along with her.

For more information about Lidia Bastianich, and Lidia’s Italy, please visit www.lidiasitaly.com.

#   #   #

*Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen was WLIW New York’s top-rated program for Monday night, averaging a 0.8 rating/1 share/58,846 households/70,615 viewers in 2004.   Lidia’s peak performance was in February 2004, where she finished as WLIW’s top rated program for the Sweeps period, averaging a 1.5 rating/168,000 viewers.   Lidia’s 2004 performance also out-delivered The Food Network’s Monday Prime average by 14%.